As hospitals and clinics become more analytical about their purchasing decisions, they are starting to evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO) of capital equipment, including portable capital equipment, rather than the initial outlay alone. Hospitals and clinics are recognizing that if they want to control and contain their costs, they must first understand what they’re actually spending over the lifetime of their equipment.

What categories should be taken into account when looking at the total cost of ownership?

• Upgradability
• Training and Education
• Track Record
• Downtime and Redundancy: Importance of Rapid Replacement Loaners
• Warrantees and Service Rates
• Trade-in Value
• Component Interchangeability

A better understanding of true TCO will enable providers to make smarter decisions about durable imaging equipment, and ultrasound in particular.